Philippines. Its main attraction is a 25-meter long, 220 degree curved acrylic walkway tunnel. Aside from the Oceanarium itself, the marine park has also boutique mall, restaurant row, and function facilities. It is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of China Oceanis Group Ltd (COG); a company that specializes in the investment, building, and operation of public aquarium/oceanarium attractions.
The Oceanarium journey is divided into six sections and each section will carry a Filipino name: “Agos”; “Bahura”; “Buhay na Karagatan”; “Pating”; “Ang Kailaliman”; and “Laot”. It replicates the water flow from a fresh water source that eventually leads to the open ocean, creating a model of interconnectedness between land and sea. It then takes one through the different depths of the sea showcasing each area’s beautiful and natural inhabitants.
Manila Ocean Park president Lim Chee Yong proudly said that the marine park would be among the most advanced ocean parks in Asia.
It could also well be one of the biggest in Asia with an area larger than the famous Sentosa oceanarium in Singapore. “Sentosa is 6,000 square meters while this one is 8,000 square meters,” Lim said. He also compared the Manila Ocean Park with Hong Kong Ocean Park adding that although it has lots of fun rides, “the Hong Kong Ocean Park showcases a smaller oceanarium.”
The ocean park project has an approximately cost of 1 billion pesos that would contain 12,000 cubic meters of seawater featuring 300 marine species indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The Manila Ocean Park was first opened to the public last March 1, 2008. Until then, the Manila Ocean Park is open everyday from 10:00AM to 9:00PM. Admission fee is Php 400.00 for adults and Php 350.00 for kids.
